THE LURE
The shallow, flat waters and cheap package deals mean that this has long been a favourite with kiters throughout Europe and Egypt’s original kite spot has grown into the Red Sea’s most popular kiting destination. The area is brimming with hotels and the town hosts many bars and clubs. Year-round wind and sun only add to Hurghada’s broad appeal.
RIDER / Annabel Van Westerop
THE SET-UP
Turquoise waters, white sandbanks and a huge amount of space, the kitesurfing here really is good for learning and it’s easy to see why it has been so popular for so long, ticking all the right boxes for those wanting concentrated time spent improving: easy travel, warm water, plenty of regular wind, flat water and lots of facilities for an easy holiday. The water depth gradually drops away and the beginner area on the inside is roughly the size of a football field and about half a metre deep. Beyond that there’s another drop-off to about one-and-a-half metres. Roughly 400 metres from the shoreline the water shelves into the open sea. The areas are tidal and create differences of about half a metre. In extreme low tides beginners move into the slightly deeper areas between the shallows and the open sea. Find all you need onsite at the Tommy Friedl Pro Centres at Jasmin Village and Grand Seas and the Harry Nass centre at the Mercure (formerly Sofitel) hotel. The centre at the Magawish hotel is no longer in operation.
Sunshine, wind and warm turqoise water. It’s what you come for! / PHOTO: Tommy Freidl
Jasmin Seas Hotel / PHOTO: Tommy Freidl
RIDER / Annabel Van Westerop
Harry Nass Centre
WIND, WEATHER AND WATER
The wind comes in cross/cross-onshore from the left (north), averaging forces four to six most of the year with the most consistent months for wind being March - October. Air temperatures can get up to 40°C / 104°F between those months in the summer, dropping to a lovely 23°C / 73°F in winter. November – February is low season, but there’s still a 60% chance of wind, although it can be changeable in direction, coming totally on- or offshore for a few days at a time, but the prevailing direction is still from the north. Expect water temperatures in the mid-twenties most of the year. Wetsuits are recommended in the winter months and the evenings can become cool enough for a hoody/jumper.
SCHOOLS
In Grand Seas Resort Hostmark you will find Magic Kite Windsurfing & Kitesurfing School. Established new in 2018, they have instructors who speak English, Russian, and Arabic, with Polish and German instructors on request.
magickitehurghada.com
HARRY NASS twinned with their other centre in Dahab is a kite and windsurf centre in front of the 4 star Mercure hotel. Teaching all levels all year, beginnners and intermediates get a complimentary boat shuttle upwind to the shallow sandbanks with radio instruction. Also: free SUP use, new Cabrinha, JP and Neil Pryde equipment for use and two rescue boats on hand. Various languages spoken by instructors. Accredited by: VDWS
www.harry-nass.com
info@harry-nass.com
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
ACCOMMODATION
There are loads of hotels suiting all budgets with great packages from Europe. Excellent childcare facilities in some allow you more time on the water. You may not find everything in town to your taste, but it’s all here.
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
NO WIND
This may be the original epicentre of kiteboarding in Egypt, but it’s packed with lots of other tourist activities plus wakeboarding and of course the Red Sea has wonderful diving. Head to the Valley of the Kings to see the underground tombs and ancient artwork. Trips to Luxor also easily organised.
GET AROUND
The kite spots are just a fifteen minute taxi from the town centre. Car hire isn’t recommended as the Egyptian driving style takes some getting used to and taxis and mini-buses are plentiful. You’ll never have to wait more than five minutes for either. If you’re here for kiting, you’re more than likely to stay in a hotel that’s close enough to the beach to not need a hire car anyway.
CURRENCY
Egyptian pound (EGP) - £1 = EGP12 / €1 = EGP9 / US$1 = EGP7 US dollars, Euros and major credit cards are widely accepted.
FOOD AND DRINK
Hurghada is the biggest and liveliest of the Red Sea resorts. If you can’t eat it, drink it or dance to it here, they probably don’t have it in Egypt.
AIRPORT
Hurghada (HRG) is about a ten minute transfer to town. Taxis are fairly cheap and extremely plentiful.
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
